HAPPY BHAG JAYEGI - Movie Review

HAPPY BHAG JAYEGI written and directed by Mudassar Aziz, starring Abhay Deol, Jimmy Sheirgill, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal and Momal Sheikh in the lead roles. A drama set in India, gets taken in to Pakistan to flourish a runaway love story. Happy (played by Diana Penty) loves Guddu (played by Ali Fazal) but her marriage is being set with a politician Bagga (played by Jimmy Sheirgill). She elopes but the plan by Guddu gets muddled up and Happy ends up in Pakistan where she is being looked after by Bilal (played by Abhay Deol) a rising politician, but even he has to keep this hidden from the media as his family’s reputation could be affected. Between all this drama, Bilal has to safely get Happy and Guddu reunited in Pakistan. Amongst all the tensions, news and plans fail, allowing Bagga to find them all and that adds more drama inside Pakistan. With all the time and effort, Bilal is confused about his own love story with Zoya (played by Momal Sheikh). Will saving Happy and getting her united with her love affect Bilal and his love life with the one who he is supposed to get married to? Is there going to be additional twists with all the problems that already have been created? Watch Happy Bhag Jayegi to find out who walks away the happiest and who misses out.

POSITIVES

• A film that exploits the relationship between India and Pakistan in a positive manner showing more of unity and less of the political sagas that are tagged in association with the two countries. It was a delight to see a film on such strong countries coming together to produce a pleasurable movie.
• The story was uplifting, attractive and enjoyable although it was pretty predictable but what keeps you as the audience attentive with the film, are the pleasant and amusing dialogues. There were several standout dialogues that turned this comedy into a comical film. The script, despite having few flaws, it manages to keep you engrossed throughout. The first half and second half both prove worthwhile to the viewing experience.
• The cast were superb and the pairings were different but effective as the film manages to give prominence to each individual equally and not allowing significance to be portrayed to just a singular character as that tends to slow the flow of the story to progress for the others. The writers manage to interlink each main character bit by bit without any disappointments. The scenes are acted out quite strongly, this does not give any room for questioning of the actors once they finish their scenes. From seeing the film, it almost felt as if it was a natural scene transpiring when the characters have a dialogue interaction because they were doing it so well.

NEGATIVES

• Although the script being well written in terms of putting an entertaining movie together, some scenes were expectable as well as a couple of scenes could have been showcased with more dominance and necessity, ideally referring to scenes such as father expressing his anger over his daughter eloping rather than venting minimal frustration to those around him. Other scenes such as we get glimpse of the consequences this elope is having on Bilal and Momal's personal life, maybe the writers should have allowed more severity bearing due to Happy's presence. The climax scene felt like the downer to the movie, it was done unconvincingly and it surely was not as luring as how the build-up was.
• With so many cast talents to handle and give equal screen space to ensure they make a commanding impacting to the outcome of the story, I think the film was tight on runtime. It seemed rushed towards the end with the wrap up where more character development could have been narrated.

CAST

• ABHAY DEOL - Effortlessly holds the film together with a performance that you just do not want it coming to an end. Having him acting on screen adds stability at all times. He is given the role as the anchor in the film, more screen space and given priority above others within the script itself. He manages to excel in his role so well, leaving no room for dissatisfactions.
• DIANA PENTY - She shows potential in her role, a likeable character and very loud with her dialogues and body language to add that fiery persona within her that lets her to get in to such mess in the story. She ignites some sparks but not enough to have a standout act. But she does enough to leave an effect on screen and remain in the audience’s thoughts. A petty face adding glamour and a love angle to the spectacle.
• JIMMY SHEIRGILL - Once again the actor seems to be acting out his scenes with simplicity and finesse. It looks like Jimmy needs very little dialogues as his facial expressions speaks on screen perfectly itself. His authority allocates dominance and power over the others, his one liners were notable giving him a commendably packed performance although a similar representation from Tanu Weds Manu character. Yet he is still a joy to watch on screen and especially with his Panjabi curses bring a smile to the audience because it is so timely and fitting once mentioned.
• ALI FAZAL - Preserves a softer dignity amongst the rest of the male stars but leaves that inclusion of feeling sympathetic for him. He is a worthy actor who may need to develop in wider roles as his roles have been on the same wave length in the past. He adds to the love angle quite well but he required more supremacy if his character is an essential influence to the eloped actress.
• MOMAL SHEIKH - Playing second fiddle, she starts off as an interruption to the flow of the film but as the film progresses, she becomes more involved and that permitted her to stamp her stake in the scenario. She tries to help resolve the situation as well tries to find out about her own love life. This gave her the screen space to enact versatile emotions and that was an attractive watch along with the comedy. She comes in as an upper class and independent strong female figure, she does well in being a worthy part of the film.

RATING

I would rate Happy Bhag Jayegi 4/5 as this film was something refreshing and an engaging watch. This satisfying film portrays seriousness and comedy, but also adding love angle to it. The ride between two countries and the togetherness of those within the society on screen ensures a family filled film was going to be a charming one. The cast put in a laudable performance that you just enjoy watching and wait in anticipation for them to return in the next scene. The concept was worthwhile but it was the execution that slightly began to drift from an entertaining start. The plot climax seems to put a damper to what was a good viewing experience in the build-up. But despite that, this film provides laughter and humour with enough sparks especially with the impact of prolific stars like Jimmy Sheirgill and Abhay Deol as well as rising talents like Diana Penty and Ali Fazal. We highly recommend Happy Bhag Jayegi if you want to watch something uplifting.

TUTAK TUTAK TUTIYA - Movie Review

TUTAK TUTAK TUTIYA is a horror comedy film directed by A. L. Vijay, starring Sonu Sood, Prabhudeva and Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead roles. Krishna (played by Prabhudeva) is single and is in search for a modern model for a relationship but that desire soon dissolves as he is called to his village and an arrange marriage is finalised with a village girl Devi (played by Tamannaah). They move in to a flat which later they find out is haunted by the ghost of Ruby who utilises Devi’s body to pursue her acting dream. She successfully accomplishes this in a film with her co-star Raj (played by Sonu Sood). This because a triangle in which drama unfolds as Krishna wants the ghost to leave his love life alone and give his wife back to him whilst Raj falls in love with Ruby. Will the ghost leave quietly or will it cause more problems for Krishna? Will Raj get what he wants or will he have to fight for it? Tutak Tutak yourself to the cinemas and find out.

POSITIVES

• Prabhudeva was an interesting act who plays the lead star of the film. Getting majority of the screen space he uses this to portray various emotions and expressions in adding a bit of a buzz to this very dull script that is bound to be predictable. His slapstick comedy is on point and allows comedy to rise above the horror elements. Without Prabhudeva’s comical antics, this film would have faltered.
• I was also impressed with the writing and directional areas in some parts of the film. The filmmakers have utilised a concept of portraying 2 scenes in one by showing what the actor Krishna in the scene wants to do, but that soon vanishes as he was just dreaming and then the reality kicks in where he is helpless in doing what he imagined to do to those who are causing him distress and frustration. It also does get repetitive as it is used quite often in the movie but it never becomes a bore as the comedy in it allows you to pay attention to it.
• The film also is simple and average, but what stands out the most were some of the one liners. The dialogues were strong in terms of being presented in a natural scenario especially by Prabhudeva. The movie has a steady flow, just don’t expect too much from it as this film is very basic. 

NEGATIVES

• The script was so weak, no real impact and no horror despite being a comedy horror film. Majority of the scenes as mentioned were simple and that lacked the impactful presence in portraying the horror elements in the movie. The film is way too stretched for a weak script that turned it into a struggle to watch to the end. The only thing that keeps it worthy to watch is Prabhudeva’s performance as he manages to shed some light to this dull movie.
• The cinematography is average, nothing creative as well as no strong visuals created to help highlighting on the horror genre and horror scenarios within the movie. The film was lacking the suspense and it just never triggered a scary thought throughout the viewing experience.
• As for the performances, Tamannaah does well in putting the split character performances but it was just the same, nothing was different and it was expectable every time when her character changes. Sonu Sood seems half utilised and given the same role that he has previously played. A character doing action and manages to win those battles, there was no character development for him. Only Prabhudeva manages to escape with more versatility in this film.

CAST

• PRABHUDEVA – Worthy presence in the film, does justice to a below-par movie that lacked many things. He brings good comedy to the film. Of course it is not the greatest laughter moments but it was enough to keep you awake in this struggling horror comedy film. His desperation to win against the odds adds an interesting element to the script and he fulfils it really well. The highlight for Prabhudeva would be his slapstick comedy and actions as well as the climax scene where he shuts down his comedy presence and adds the seriousness, he manages to carry this out with finesse.
• TAMANNAAH BHATIA – Playing two different characters, one as a housewife and another as a possessed model who seeks a dream of being a film star. She was good in portraying these two characters, showing great differentiation through her facial expressions and body language as well as her voice as she talks in both a quiet housewife and as a dominant ghostly figure.
• SONU SOOD – Given the attention as the superstar in the movie, but his character has no development. It was average and he shows nothing new from what we already have seen of him previously. Especially in this film he has no significant bearing or an impacting influence on the storyline. We get to know his character and his interest but it does not add any surprises to the audience. He is okay in his performance but not a standout for him.

RATING

I would rate Tutak Tutak Tutiya 2/5, a film that gives nothing spectacular, just an average watch, just do not expect so much from this film as it never will deliver if you have high expectations from it. The storyline was weak with a potential to dominate with the horror angle but the writers just missed out on a good script. Performances were okay, Prabhudeva sparks some energy in to it whilst Tamannaah inputs with the glamour, Sonu Sood tries but shows nothing new. Watch this film and have no high expectations or else you will be disappointed much more than I was. I had no high anticipations, it was a decent time pass film.

TRAFFIC - Movie Review

TRAFFIC directed by Rajesh Pillai, starring Manoj Bajpayee and Jimmy Sheirgill in the lead roles. This is an intense thrilling drama based on true events. A police operation to try and save a life. A daughter of a well-known actor is sick and requires a heart transplant in Pune, whilst a budding journalist had met in a traffic accident in Mumbai where he is declared dead. The efforts to do a heart transplant is facing heavy rush hour traffic and only little time remains for the heart to be taken to Pune from Mumbai. Constable Godbole (played by Manoj Bajpayee) volunteers and takes up the responsibility of ensuring the heart reaches in time through these obstacles and he is supported by Joint commissioner Mumbai Police, Gurbir Singh (played by Jimmy Sheirgill). Do they succeed in their mission? The title suggests it all, watch Traffic to find out.

POSITIVES

• This movie was emotional and upsetting. There are glimpses from the beginning of emotions and for the film to climax to such lengths really did deliver a solid film. Not always do you feel a part of the situation, as if you were really there. The way this film has been written and directed and acted out, every solid impact makes you feel as if it is happening in front of you.
• Acting performance was the standout, each character portrayed a powerful emphasises on this heart melting story. Manoj Bajpayee allows his eyes do the talking before his actions that saved a life. Manoj is burdened in his own problems, but he takes a challenge to erase and write an achievement for his own sake to impress his daughter. Jimmy Sheirgill, excels playing a police officer in many movies but this one he shows a solid punch in leading an operation of such caliber.
• I felt the story was narrated well, interlinking several character perspectives to initiate more to the affected story. There are points in the film where it needed an explanation and the writing department manage to ensure that happened to help narrate the story much more clearly. Director has done a fantastic job in making sure he uses up less screen space to present the different perspectives, the use of split screen on both mothers and both fathers were a prime example of showcasing what the characters are going through. A very good effort with this movie, something that needs to be applauded.

NEGATIVE

• Firstly, the realistic question, would the same have happened if it was not a celebrity? Would the same consequences occurred to halt such huge city? Would an actor really involve a gangster don and would the don oblige straight away without asking for something in return? Maybe this is true but is it really? Nobody would know the depths of truth in the film as it is a depiction of real situation. But in society today would we have such procedures carried out by police if it was for an ordinary citizen and not a film actor?
• The script towards the end had a chance to allow more development in the climax, e.g. Letting the audience know how the daughter coped after a few weeks? Maybe give an insight in the relationship with the mother and father now and his acting career? What happened to the doctor Abel who did a criminal offence of trying to kill his partner Shweta? Surely something the police would have done? Despite the film being exceptionally interesting, it does have a few flaws that would have initiated more within the movie towards the wrap up.
• Final negative were the visual graphics of time being moved on, was it really necessary to include that and waste several seconds of screen space? We already are getting the time watch on the bottom corner of the screen when it hits an important time of the hour. I felt this could have been left out. It became sidetracking and repetitive in a highly concentrated movie that just needed to be played out continuously.

RATING

I would rate Traffic movie 4/5 as this story makes you feel proud of such efforts in the storyline as well as the strengths of the filmmakers for putting a low budget film together and keeping it tight and attention-grabbing at all times. A strong script, which has areas for improvement, but that has been backed by fine performances by the lead stars Manoj Bajpayee and Jimmy Sheirgill who pair up and deliver a committing and powerful acting credentials on screen. The film keeps you involved throughout and each scene makes you want to continue viewing further! It leaves you connected and as mentioned earlier, it makes you feel as if you were witnessing something dramatic unfolding in front of your own eyes.